Child Support Officer

Salary : $50,860.00 - $76,290.00 Annually
Location : Brainerd, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2024-00115
Department: Community Services
Opening Date: 10/17/2024
Closing Date: 10/28/2024 4:30 PM Central
Position Objective
To provide and obtain accurate information and documents related to the establishment and enforcement of child support orders for public assistance and non-public assistance clients; locates absent parents; interviews mothers and alleged fathers to establish paternity, explains rights and obligations and settlement discussions; initiates necessary legal actions; works closely with the county attorney, judges, court administrators, child support magistrates, local attorneys, income maintenance and social service staff, employers, and a variety of other resource personnel; testifies in court proceedings; and maintains all necessary and legal documentation. Work is performed under the limited supervision.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Reviews applications for program services in order to: ensure files include all necessary documents, verify that information provided is accurate and resolve discrepancies, determine if there is sufficient information to proceed with an action, and determine the appropriate jurisdiction to provide services.
• Reviews case facts and independent applies federal and state laws, court and ethical rules, appellate court rulings, laws of applicable jurisdictions, and public and county policy. Reviews cases with Assistant County Attorney and assists the Assistant County Attorney in preparing for the case and during hearings. Prepares a variety of legal documents, which incorporate the essential facts in support of the child support determination and comply with state mandated provisions; submits legal documents to the Assistant County Attorney for signature and approval and then files documents with court and appropriate parties.
• Evaluates financial data, public assistance status information, previously established orders, and all other relevant case facts to determine appropriate amounts of support or public assistance repayment as indicated by federal or state statute or case law.
• Determines paternity status, establishes support and by: conducting interviews with parents or obligators to obtain accurate personal and financial information relevant to case proceedings, using gathered data to determine appropriate jurisdiction and action to take, describing program, documenting voluntary recognition of paternity or requesting blood tests, documenting the basis for determining payment amounts and explaining how payment amounts were calculated in accordance with State and Federal guidelines.
• Determines and processes cases that are in contempt or in violation of court, criminal or employer order and compiles documentation and prepares motions for contempt proceedings and other legal actions.
• Provides and obtains information related to child support cases by communicating in person, by telephone and by written correspondence with individuals connected with the cases, including parents and their family members, private and public attorneys, employers, corrections and court personnel, the state office of child support, child support staff of other jurisdictions.
• Prepares and processes support orders, stipulations, affidavits, and other legal documents; prepares motions for judgments or garnishment; and initiates legal action against parents living in other states to obtain and enforce orders according to the laws of the state in which the non-custodial parent lives or works.
• Monitors cases for compliance with the terms of court orders and enforces existing court orders. Uses sound judgment to determine appropriate enforcement actions for noncompliance, and implements necessary steps. Independently negotiates terms of payment agreements with parties to suspend enforcement activities upon compliance of obligor.
• Retrieves, enters and changes information from paper and computer files (including use of state-wide child support and public assistance computer systems) systems, in order to: obtain and correct case information; verify that incoming payments are applied correctly to multiple obligations; calculate balances due on each sub-account; correct any errors in payment applications or billing statements and complete adjustment forms to change distribution of funds when necessary; monitor public assistance status of parents; decide whether accounts meet criteria for adjustment.
• Teams with a less experienced staff to provide supplementary training and feedback regarding assignments; may compile study materials and train groups of staff in the use of multiple computer systems to obtain and update case data.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of formal prep in a related field or equivalent knowledge gained from experience and/or education.
• One year work experience of a similar nature and scope of responsibility.

Desirable Qualifications

• Previous training and/or experience as a child support officer
• Knowledge of department and County organization and administrative policies, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, documents, and procedures as they relate to establishment and enforcement of child support orders including processes and procedures governing child support in a county setting.
• Thorough knowledge of the ways to determine paternity or legal relation.
• Thorough skill creating and maintaining adequate records, reports and files pertaining to child support and legal research.
• Ability to explain and interpret complex laws, rules, and regulations regarding court order, compile evidence, analyze facts and make sound recommendations
• Knowledge of the expedited child support process, public assistance programs and community resources.
• Ability to make arithmetic computations
• Knowledge of data privacy laws, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, Minnesota Rules of civil procedure and HIPPA.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations relating to health and social services sufficient to understand the impact on the client and service delivery parameters.
• Ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, agencies and community groups and public.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and work independently.
• Experience in negotiating agreements.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, provide testimony and present to groups and/or individuals.
• Ability to explain and interpret complex laws, rules and regulations regarding court orders, compile evidence, analyze facts and make sound recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain thorough case files in compliance with state and federal laws.

This summary is intended for general information purposes and does not represent the legal description of our benefit package. The summary plan descriptions, Crow Wing County personnel manual, or applicable labor contract contains more complete information and will prevail in the event of a discrepancy.
Compensation
The county strives to be a market competitive employer with compensation rates that are externally competitive and internally equitable. Compensation rates are governed by the county pay matrix and applicable labor contract. Information regarding the county pay programs is available in the Human Resource Department.
Paid Time Off (PTO)
PTO benefit accrues at the rate of 21 days per year for the first 3 years for regular full-time staff and is pro-rated for regular part-time staff.
Holidays
The 12 calendar holidays that are observed by Crow Wing County are as follows: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Friday following, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Health Insurance
Regular full-time employees and their dependents are eligible for group health insurance coverage, administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Eligibility begins on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
Regular part-time employees regularly scheduled 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health insurance coverage on a pro-rated basis.
Dental Insurance
Delta dental benefit is available to those participating in a health insurance plan. Calendar year annual maximum of $1000 per person.
Life Insurance
Regular full-time employees shall be provided a term life insurance policy of $50,000. Optional life insurance is available at the employee's expense.
Short-Term Disability
Regular full-time and part-time staff regularly scheduled at least 30 hours per week are eligible for short-term disability following 6 months of qualifying employment. Short-term disability payments begin on the first day following 14 consecutive calendar days of absence attributable to a qualifying disability. The plan provides income replacement of up to 50% of regular pay subject to a maximum limit of $1,000 per week.
Long-Term Disability
Regular full-time and part-time staff regularly scheduled at least 30 hours per week are eligible. Long term disability pays 50% of salary up to a maximum of $4,000 per month beginning on day 91 of total disability. The maximum benefits duration is up to the social security normal retirement date.
Retirement Plan
Retirement benefits are provided through the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA). For more information on PERA visit their at
01
Which best describes your highest level of education:

• No Degree
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• AA, AS or AAS Degree
• Certificate Program
• Bachelors Degree

02
Select the response that represents your years of work experience in a related field such as administrative support.

• No experience
• Some experience but less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 or more years experience

03
Do you have any previous work experience as a Child Support Enforcement Aide, Child Support Specialist or Child Support Officer or closely related experience?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered yes to question 3, please describe your experience, referencing jobs listed in your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
05
Check all computer software you have experience working with:

• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• MAXIS
• MEC2
• PRISM
• On-Base
• MGA
• Efiling
• None of the above

06
For each of the computer software you selected in the question above, please describe your experience with each of the programs.
07
Describe the techniques and tools you use to keep yourself organized to create timely, accurate work products. Include your skills to work efficiently, remain focused and handle interruptions.
08
I verify that all of my responses to the supplemental questions are true and accurate. I understand that if my supporting documentation and/or later steps in the selection process do not support one or more of my responses to the supplemental questions that I may no longer be considered for the position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question